Getting to Know God (1)

A Crisis of Belief

 

FILING INFORMATION:

2000053

Subject:  relationships; faith; attitude

Preached Originally: 09/10/2000 – Rapid City, SD

 

Introduction:

A.    Ever fallen into trap of expecting too little? 

1.    parents – grandparents grew up expecting the best.

2.    consider generation that won WW2 & the impossible odds that had to be overcome.

3.    Seems that this generation has given away to the fallacy of lowering standards in a variety of ways:

B.    Educational system.  Standards have been lowered in some areas so more will pass.

1.    women in combat – somewhere the standards have been lowered so certain women will feel equal to men.

C.   Could the Lord’s church not be growing because we expect to little?

1.    have we hidden the truth b/c it seems so hard to get a positive response?

2.    have we begun to lower our standards as to what is expected in evangelism, edification, and benevolence?

3.    God expects more than just being baptized & attending!  Not enough to just fill a pew, say a few prayers, & drop $$$ in plate.

a)    God has not called us to lackadaisical service.  We’re not here just to “go through the motions.”

D.   Let me suggest….God’s invitation leads us to a crisis of belief!

1.    Crisis = decision, judgment, a turning point or fork in the road that DEMANDS a decision!

2.    Which way are we going to go? Toward God or away from Him?

3.    Individual decision we all have to make.

 

I.  God’s Invitation Requires Faith.

A.     When we make decision to respond to the gospel – we must do so in faith!

1.    Heb. 11:6, 1; 2 Cor. 5:7; Gal. 2:20

a)    Faith is necessary to be pleasing to God – Heb. 11:6, 1

b)    We are to learn to walk by faith – not by sight!

c)    It is to become a part of who we are – Paul in Galatians.

2.    We can’t come to know God w/o faith!  Must build my relationship w/God through my faith!

a)    When others see us – they are to be reminded of Christ – through our attitude/actions.

3.    Faith is more than just a mental assent of His presence! (This AM’s radio program)

B.    Faith comes alive in obedience!

1.     Heb. 11:8-10; Js. 2:17-20-22

2.    Motivation behind everything that we do!

C.    Faith is where we meet a “crisis!”

1.    As we grow up in Christ – we find ourselves arriving at a decision – Am I going to serve Christ or serve myself?

a)    Some:  it’s all about them.  Holds them back from serving the Lord.  Months/years of spiritual progress wasted.

b)    But…which is it going to be?  Serve self or God?

2.    Has God invited you?  What decision will it be?

a)    Lk. 6:46 – this a result of selfishness.  Holds us back from being the kind of Christian God would have us to be!

b)    We fail in our work at times b/c of selfishness – can’t do this/don’t have talent for that/haven’t been Christian long enough, etc.

c)    Don’t judge what you are able to do for God by what you have done in the past!

3.    Mk. 10:27 – We must learn to put our trust in God!

a)    Willing to take a risk for Him?

b)    Don’t be afraid to launch out in faith!  Why?

 

II.  God’s Invitation is to a God-sized Task!

A.    God wants people to know Him.  How?

1.    Jhn. 3:16 – sent His Son to die for us.  No easy thing.

2.    1 Pet. 3:9 – desires all men come to repentance!  Puts up w/a lot!

3.    Lk. 19:10 – wants to seek/save the lost!

4.    Consider how God has gone out of His way for mankind!

B.    God is NOT inviting you to apathy; average; mediocre or mundane service!

1.    God doesn’t want us to expect too little – but the best!

2.    To go above/beyond the ordinary!

C.   God gives us takes that we cannot do!

1.    Abraham – Father of nation @ 99 yrs old - Gen. 12-20

2.    Moses – to forge Israel into a nation - 1½ million people – Ex. 3

3.    Gideon – told to take 300 men again 120,000.  Won w/God’s help – can you imagine?  (Jud. 7)

4.    12 Galileans – make disciples of all nations? 

a)    Mt. 28:18-20

b)    20-30 years later – See Col. 3:5-6; 23

c)    Task accomplished through the help of God!

D.   God is still giving out impossible tasks!

1.    Forgiving/working things out in marriage.

2.    Changing our character. (Not friendly/hospitable.  God not satisfied if you don’t work on it.)

3.    Being lights in a dark world. (Notice how dark the world is lately?)

4.    Raising good kids in Sodom

5.    Church growth w/o compromise & division!

a)    Brethren – it CAN be done!

b)    Depressing – look at c bldgs around us! P Lots full, adding on, etc.  Seems that our number get smaller.  BUT….

c)    God has a plan – must operate on HIS timetable & His plan – not so much on our OWN.  Must allow Him to work through us!

d)    C Growth w/o compromise – will take work/effort on our part!  Open up lines of communication between ourselves/others.

e)    We can do so much good for God – if we will put forth a concentrated effort by working together.

 

III.  What you do tells what you Believe!

A.    1 Sam. 16:12-13 – David anointed as King over Israel.

1.    17:5-7 – description of Goliath – the problem b/f Israel.

2.    17:17-19 – brought supplies to brothers fighting against Philistines.   

a)     God brought David in mid stream, crisis, a question of belief.

b)    Goes in there – and through God – defeats the enemy!

3.    Application: Need to believe that God can accomplish the impossible through us!  How much are we willing to do?  How much do we believe the Lord?

B.    “Crisis” times always arise near God!

1.    Mt. 8:18-27 (esp. 23-27) – Sometimes things look pretty bleak!  Bad!  Desperate!

a)    That’s when it’s most tempting to give up/quit.  Can’t do that!  Got to push forward!

b)    Darkest part of night – just before the dawn.

c)    Coldest point of night – just before sun comes up.

d)    Looks like no use – keep going!  Launch out in faith!

2.    Mt. 9:20-22

a)    Imagine faith/belief that this required!  She easily could have said – it’s no use.

b)    9:27-31 – blind men persisted.  Believed in the impossible.

3.    What’s the lesson for us?  Look for miracles?  No.  But…

a)    Lesson:  we need to act upon our faith!

b)    Just do it!

C.   The faithful servant = the one who does what the Master Says – no matter what!

 

Conclusion:

A.    God is inviting you to action!  To an impossible task!

1.    It will require faith b/c you can’t do it yourself!

2.    Heb. 11:8-10 – by faith – mentioned 18 times in Heb. 11.

3.    Means an active, get up & do obedience.

4.    A sense of urgency.

B.    Have you obeyed?  Are you still?

1.    Perhaps NOW is the CRISIS of YOUR belief!

2.    You can’t stay where you are & go w/God!

C.  I N V I T A T I O N